House Bill Analysis: E2SSB 5955 – Mitigating Harm and Improving Equity in Large Port Districts

Washington State Bill E2SSB 5955 creates a grant program, running through July 1, 2029, managed by the Department of Commerce to help port districts — primarily the Port of Seattle, which operates Sea-Tac Airport — repair or replace faulty noise mitigation equipment installed in nearby homes, and to fix any structural damage caused by that equipment. The program is funded through a new 'port district equity fund' drawing from legislative appropriations, local government contributions, and private donations. An independent review by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee is required by July 1, 2028, to assess how many homes have been remediated and how many still need attention.

Notes

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research bill analysis for E2SSB 5955, heard by the Local Government Committee on 2/20/24. Sponsored by Senators Keiser, Hasegawa, Kauffman, Nguyen, and Wilson, C. The bill establishes a grant program through July 1, 2029, managed by the Department of Commerce to assist port districts — specifically the Port of Seattle operating Seattle-Tacoma International Airport — with expenses related to repairing or replacing noise mitigation soundproofing equipment not working as intended, or addressing hazards and structural damage caused by previously installed noise mitigation equipment. Creates the port district equity fund, allows interlocal agreements with counties for building inspectors, requires JLARC review by July 1, 2028, and adds Department of Commerce grant proceeds as an authorized revenue source under RCW noise abatement financing provisions.

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